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Enormous snapping turtle rescued from Texas drainpipe

An enormous alligator snapping turtle is recovering at a Texas wildlife centre after being found wedged in a drainage pipe northwest of Houston.

A resident called the Houston SPCA after discovering the 24kg specimen in a new development in the town of Hockley.

The SPCA and fire crews managed to open the drainpipe enough to free the turtle, which was struggling to keep its head above water. Once freed, rescuers discovered several more deceased snapping turtles that had been trapped in the drainpipe, according to AP.

The turtle is rehabilitating with one other specimen that was rescued in a parking lot further north, with injuries that appeared to be inflicted by a human.

Prehistoric in appearance, the alligator snapping turtle is one of the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world. They are a threatened species, and some states have imposed bans on collecting the creatures in the wild.